Jammu, June 19
The Gandhi Nagar police have launched a verification drive to register all tenants to keep a check on anti-social elements in the city.

This was disclosed during a police-public meeting organised at Malik Market in the Channi Himmat area. The meeting was chaired by Superintendent of Police (SP), South City, Rahul Malik. People from different walks of life from the Bhatindi, Sainik Colony, Narwal and Channi Himmat areas participated in the meeting.

The meeting was also attended by other police officials, including SDPO (East) Rafiq Manhas, SHO, Trikuta Nagar police station, Chanchal Singh, and SHO, Channi Himmat police station, Aizaz Ahmad.

It was also informed in the meeting that the police were conducting regular census of non-local labourers and also started a drive to register all the tenants through tenant verification forms available at each police station and police post free of cost.

The police officials requested owners of houses and tenants to fill the form and submit it to the police station and police post concerned for verification of the credentials of tenants.

The participants also raised various issues, including holding surprise checking points at congested places, problem of rash driving by Sumo and minibus drivers, bovine smuggling, drug abuse and illegal parking on the national highway.

Assuring the people of early redress of their issues, the SP (South) said they would launch a special drive against traffic violators and rash driving by establishing surprise “nakas” (checking points). He said day-and-night patrolling would be enhanced in the areas, besides they would convene a meeting of the presidents of various transport associations and officials concerned to keep a check on rash driving by minibuses’ drivers.

Srinagar, June 19
Members of the Urban Local Bodies Employees United Forum (ULBEUF) staged a protest here today demanding fulfilment of their long pending demands.

Led by ULBEUF president Manzoor Ahmad Pampori, the protesters gathered at the Press Enclave area where they raised slogans in favour of their demands.

Pampori regretted that despite holding frequent protests, their pleas were falling on deaf ears.

He threatened to intensify protests in case their demands were not met.

The Urban Local Bodies Employees United Forum demands include implementation of service recruitment rules, release of 20 per cent arrears under the Sixth Pay Commission, setting up of a transparent transfer policy within the department and regularisation of daily wagers and consolidated employees having more than 15 years service in the department.

The forum also demanded time-bound settlement of pension and commutation cases besides timely release of salaries.

Later, the protesters attempted to take out a march towards Lal Chowk. However, their bid was foiled by the police and a few protesters were taken into preventive custody.

Srinagar, June 19
The state Cabinet here today approved service benefits and transfer policy for ‘Rehbar-e-Taleem’ (ReT) teachers.

The five-year service rendered by ReT teachers before regularisation will be considered for fixing their seniority, pension and other retirement benefits.

The decision was taken by the Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

“It was also decided that after regularisation, the services of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers shall be transferable within the district to which they belong,” an official spokesman said.

The Cabinet also approved enhancement in the retirement age of the teaching faculties at the University of Kashmir, University of Jammu, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir and Jammu, and Government Medical College, Srinagar and Jammu, from 60 to 62 years.

The Cabinet also approved the formation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for development of the coal block at KudnaliLaburi (Talcher) in Odisha, allocated jointly to the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation and the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited by the Union Ministry of Coal.

“The SPV board of directors will consist of five directors, including the administrative secretary, Power Development Department, J&K, who will be the chairperson of the board of directors,” the Cabinet decided.

Rajouri, June 19
According to data available with the district Flood Control Department, about 50,000 people and 2,000 hectares are facing a threat of floods in the forthcoming monsoon season.

Statistics reveal that in the entire district, 17 rivers and rivulets may pose threat to life and property during the monsoon. The department has also identified 157 locations on the banks of these rivers/rivulets which are frequented by people. It has, however, not put any warning signs at these locations.

The department has not prepared any plan to meet challenges during the monsoon. This was disclosed by Mohammad Ayaz, assistant executive engineer (AEE), Flood Control Department.

Ayaz said the department had prepared a plan to erect safety measures at the 157 locations and Rs 13 crore was to be spent on the construction of protection crates. He, however, said the work had been stopped due to some misunderstanding between the contractors and the department.

Of the 157 identified locations, some are situated in the heart of Rajouri city.

The rivulets which can pose a threat to life and property during the monsoon season include Shahdra, Thana, Darhali, Dungi, Dalhori, Tatapani, Solki, Triath and Ghambhir and the rivers are Agli Tawi, Sukhto, Ans and Nowshera.

The AEE, Flood Control, said the department would soon establish a control room to provide advance warning to people.

He said the department would also try to install warning sign boards at locations along the rivers visited by people daily.

Jammu, June 19
After Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stirred up a hornet’s nest by exposing “personal secret deals” of BJP MLAs with the state government, the opponents are all out to take on the saffron party in the coming Assembly elections for betraying the people of Jammu region.

Political parties, which were finding it difficult to counter the Modi wave in the Jammu region, have decided to push the BJP to the wall during the Assembly election campaign after Omar had publicly disclosed that except seeking personal benefits, the BJP MLAs have never raised public issues during their closed-door meetings with him.

While BJP’s arch rival Congress has already stepped up attack on the former, the PDP and the JKNPP have also joined the bandwagon and announced to hold demonstrations in front of the residences of the BJP MLAs for “selling” people’s interests in lieu of their personal benefits.

The Jammu Kashmir National Peoples Party (JKNPP), which claims to be the messiah of Jammu’s cause, has decided to approach the court of law to ascertain how many undue benefits the BJP leaders have gulped down from the successive NC governments from time to time by bartering wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu region.

“Finally, the cat is out of the bag. It has now become clear that the BJP leadership in J&K has rescued the NC governments from time to time. In lieu of supporting the NC governments, petty personal interests of BJP leaders were fulfilled by the NC leadership,” alleged former Rajya Sabha member and senior leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Trilok Singh Bajwa.

“The BJP MLAs have brazenly hoodwinked the gullible masses of Jammu by exploiting their sentiments,” he said, adding that after Omar’s outburst double standards of the BJP leadership has been exposed.

“We will not remain a mute spectator to the deceitful tactics of the BJP. We will hold demonstrations in front of the houses of the BJP MLAs for backstabbing the people of Jammu region,” Bajwa said, demanding a probe into the assets of BJP leaders, who according to him have amassed huge wealth with the support of the NC leadership.

“I have already drafted a PIL to be moved in the court to get information about the list of undue benefits given to the BJP leaders by the successive NC regimes,” said Prof Bhim Singh, leader of the JKNPP.

He said, “It is a historical fact that since decades the BJP leadership has been brazenly selling Jammu’s interests to protect interests of their kith and kin. The 2009 Rajya Sabha elections when the BJP MLAs had voted in favour of Dr Farooq Abdullah and in the 2011 Legislative Council elections when BJP MLAs had voted in favour of the NC and the Congress candidates are the latest examples of the give and take policy of the saffron party,” he said.

“The BJP has been adopting such deceitful tactics since decades. Omar, who is novice in politics, has happened to vomit out the truth,” he maintained.

Jammu, June 19
Buoyed by its performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP today unveiled its strategy to accomplish ‘Mission 44 Plus’ to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.

The executive body of the BJP held a two-day meeting in Bhaderwah town of Doda district on June 14 and 15 to decide that Union ministers of the party will visit all Assembly segments in July “to improve the poll prospects” of the party in the state. The ministers will stay with party workers and not in government guesthouses during their visit to the state.

The party will hold a daylong state-level working committee meeting in Jammu on June 23; thereafter, district-level and block-level working committee meetings will be held till July 15.

The BJP will also organise “Parivartan Yatras” (rallies for change) in all 87 Assembly constituencies between July 15 and August 15 while the constituency-wise rallies will be held in September.

The plan was unveiled by state general secretaries of the party Kavinder Gupta and Bali Bhagat at a joint press conference at the party headquarters here today.

“There was consensus during the executive body meeting that the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir was conducive for achieving ‘Mission 44 Plus’. The Congress and the NC are in complete disarray in the state. The pro-self-rule PDP as well as the Congress and the NC have been rejected outright by Jammu and Ladakh,” the BJP leaders said.

They said the mood among the party workers was upbeat after the results of General Election. “With one voice, the party leaders at the executive body meeting said if the BJP could win three of the six Lok Sabha seats in the state and get over 32 per cent of the votes polled and decimate the Congress, NC and the PDP in Jammu and Ladakh, why couldn’t it win more than 44 plus seats in the state,” the general secretaries said.

They said the Muslims of Kashmir, who allegedly have been “ditched and exploited” by the Kashmiri leaders, would support the BJP and join the mainstream politics.

Srinagar, June 19
The ruling National Conference, which faced a rout in recently concluded parliamentary elections, is searching for a safe seat for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to contest the Assembly polls later this year.

Omar is a legislator from the Ganderbal Assembly constituency. However, the defeat of NC president Farooq Abdullah from the area in the parliamentary polls has left the Chief Minister on a loose ground.

Farooq lost to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Tariq Hameed Karra by a margin of 2,913 votes.

The Ganderbal constituency has been a stronghold of Abdullahs. However, the family faced a rare upset in 2002 Assembly polls when Omar lost to the PDP.

The ruling party leaders, which met here on Wednesday to discuss the strategy for the Assembly polls, are worried over the inroads made by the PDP in all the known strongholds of the NC during the Lok Sabha elections.

The Central Working Committee — the top decision-making body of the National Conference — is now searching for a safe seat for the Chief Minister and is calculating all the factors in play in the constituencies shortlisted for Omar. Sources said the party has shortlisted Ganderbal, Sonawar, Hazratbal and Amira Kadal Assembly segments for Omar.

In 2008, Sonawar and Hazratbal seats were contested and won by Farooq Abdullah. He though lost both the segments in the parliamentary polls.

Omar may contest from two seats — Hazratbal and Ganderbal or Hazratbal and Sonawar — to keep his chances of victory intact in the Assembly elections, sources said.

“One thing is certain, he will not contest from Ganderbal,” a highly placed source said. In the 2008 Assembly elections, Omar won the Ganderbal seat by a margin of 8,215 votes. The sources, however, said Ganderbal had become risky for Omar due to growing influence of the opposition in the constituency and a power struggle within the local party leaders. Additional general secretary of the party Mustafa Kamal, however, said no decision on distribution of tickets had been reached so far.

The decision will be made only after the feedback is received from the district presidents of the party, Kamal said, adding that the Central Working Committee of the party has asked its district presidents to suggest three names for each constituency within next seven days.

Srinagar, June 19
Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Member of Parliament from the Srinagar constituency Tariq Hameed Karra today alleged that the National Conference-led government had failed to even provide basic facilities to the people of the state and said the misgovernance has taken a toll on the development of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Without being able to make any positive contribution to the state during the past six years the hallmark of this government is wayward political conduct, rampant corruption, fiscal mismanagement, strong arm methods and collapse of administration,” Karra said while addressing a series of public meetings in the Chrar-e-Sharief area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

“The NC-led government has virtually abandoned its duty towards the people of the state and the governance crisis is taking a toll in all areas and regions of the state,” he said.

“Even the basic amenities like drinking water, irrigation facilities, power supply and ration have become scarce because of the inefficiency of the present regime,” the PDP leader said.

Karra also said the bad condition of the roads and traffic mismanagement had made life miserable for the people.

Senior PDP leader Ghulam Nabi Lone (Hanjoora) also addressed the meetings.

Sringar, June 19
General line teachers recruited through the Services Selection Board (SSB) today criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his decision to include five years of service of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers in records for seniority benefit. They said the decision would affect their career.

The general line teachers today staged a protest demonstration in the city calling for immediate revocation of the decision. However, the police dispersed the protesters.

“ReT appointments are made ward-wise and their appointment is totally school specific and as per the rules, they cannot be transferred even after regularisation of their services. How can the government amend or float its own laws. It will be presumed as a vote bank policy at the cost of career of meritorious candidates,” one of the protesting teachers said.

The protesters alleged that the Chief Minister had taken the decision in haste without thinking about its impact on meritorious and deserving candidates. “Omar should understand that there is a lot of difference between general line teachers and ReT appointees. We have been appointed by the SSRB, while ReTs are engaged at village level,” a group of protesting teachers said.

They said the decision would affect the promotions of general line teachers. “We demand that the government should think properly before taking such a decision and stop playing politics with our career,” they said.

Jammu, June 19
The General Line Teachers Forum (GLTF) today expressed strong resentment against the alleged “unlawful and illegal” decision of the state government for inclusion of five years of honorarium period of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers for service benefits and transfer policy for them.

The forum threatened to launch a statewide agitation if the government made an attempt to implement its decision.

“We condemn the unlawful decision of the state government for accepting the unjustified and undue demands of ReT teachers. The decision of the state government will affect thousands of general line teachers as it will jeopardise the normal process of the seniority of general line teachers,” Neeraj Sharma, president, GLTF, told reporters here.

On June 13, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had announced to give service benefits of first five years of their stipendiary service to the ReT teachers and make their job transferable.

“The government has attempted to reverse the seniority of the general line teachers where junior becomes senior and senior becomes junior,” the GLTF leader said.

He said, “On the one hand, the RETs were appointed at the village or ward level just after giving a simple application form and were appointed in the department without facing any kind of competition and interview, while on the other hand, general line teachers, having higher qualification in every respect, had gone through cumbersome procedure of Service Selection Recruitment Board (SSRB) right from filling the application form to appearing in the state-level written competition and interviews by the person specialised in their field and finally getting selected through merit.”

He questioned how the ReT teachers could be treated equally with general line teachers in present circumstances.

Nagrota, June 19
Against the backdrop of the Al-Qaida threat via a video and possible diversion of Taliban fighters to J&K this year, the GOC of the Nagrota-based 16 Corps, Lt Gen KH Singh, today said the Northern Command was fully geared up to ward off any challenge on the frontiers of the state.

In an exclusive conversation with The Tribune, Lt General Singh, who also commanded a battalion in Siachen Glacier and 25 Infantry Division in Rajouri, said: “I read about the Al-Qaida threat in newspapers. There were also reports that after NATO forces’ drawdown, Taliban are likely to shift their cadre from western border of Pakistan to our side. I can only say that such a possibility cannot be ruled out but we at the Northern Command, and the 16 Corps in particular, are fully prepared for any eventuality. We are fully geared up”.

He said the surveillance capability of the Army was intact and fully operational to meet any situation. “Also, our early warning systems are regularly updated. As far as the troops on the ground are concerned, continuous reviews are being done to counter infiltration and any other mischief. Any nefarious design by inimical forces of any kind would be dealt with to our advantage,” he added.

On recovery of an AK-47 from one of two slain militants in Poonch on May 10 which carried the mark “TTM” (decoded by a cop as “Tehreek-e-Taliban Mujahid”), he said the TTM as a group had not surfaced so far. “However, there has been a split in Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and I don’t rule out some elements from splinter groups trying to operate against India. Having said so, as of now there is no indication of involvement of elements of TTP on our side (LoC); there are also no visible signs of the Taliban on our side.”

Lt General Singh said the security scenario along the 224.5-km-long LoC under 16 Corps zone was firmly under control. “We attempt to keep peace and tranquillity on the LoC. However, there have been certain trans-LoC activities by inimical elements in the recent past. So, we had to respond appropriately. Otherwise, the overall situation on the LoC is by and large peaceful,” he said.

The LoC runs from the Chicken Neck area of Akhnoor to Poonch, south of the Pir Panjal range.

The GOC said that since January this year, there had been 31 truce violations so far and nine violations of other nature in his area of responsibility.

On measures on the LoC, he said the 16 Corps had carried out enhanced security measures in the form of multi-layered deployment, alarm systems and early warning systems to further dominate the border in order to prevent any kind of inimical activities.

He said deployment on the LoC had not been increased. “Deployment is an ongoing process. However, tactical manoeuvres are mandatory and we do them as per our requirements. We keep reviewing our deployment from time to time,” he said.

He said 200 to 250 ultras were present on the other side of the LoC and at any given point of time 40 to 50 ultras in groups of four to six were busy trying to operate from those launch pads (generally mobile in nature).

“Reports available with us suggest that 40 to 50 terror camps are still intact in PoJK with 10 to 15 of them opposite the 16 Corps zone,” he added.

Jammu, June 19
The Crime Branch, Jammu, organised an awareness programme on “Drug addiction, traffic rules and its regulations” for drivers and cleaners at the zonal Crime Branch headquarters here today.

The programme was the part of ongoing week-long celebrations of the Raising Day of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Crime Branch, Jammu, Shakti Pathak presided over the function. A large number of prominent citizens, members of transport unions, including bus, truck and minibus union members, participated.

“We decided to create awareness among the people associated with the transport industry about drug addiction and its hazards as they generally live under immense stress. The problem of drug addiction is quite prevalent among the people associated with the transport industry and also they are the mode of transportation of drugs from one place to another,” the SSP, Crime Branch, told reporters on the sidelines of the function.

He said they would also hold frequent meetings with the general public for building healthy and crime-free society. He laid emphasis on adhering to traffic rules and regulations to avert dangerous situation while moving on roads.

Pallvi Singh Thakur, Drug Addiction Coordinator, while speaking on the occasion, deliberated on the topic “De-addiction” and laid stress on drug-free homes and society for a peaceful and healthy life.

Srinagar, June 19
The Jammu and Kashmir Government today approved a one-man Commission of Inquiry (COI) to probe the killing of nearly 120 civilians during the 2010 summer unrest in the Valley. The Commission has been asked to submit its report within three months.

The killing of civilians in 2010 was considered one of the major reasons for the National Conference’s rout in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls.

The decision to sanction the one-man Commission headed by Justice (retired) ML Koul was taken during a Cabinet meeting here today.

“The Commission of Inquiry will probe the circumstances that led to death of civilians in various districts of the Valley during 2010,” said a senior Minister in the Omar Cabinet said.

“The Commission has been asked to submit a report in three months,” he said.

Initially the government had ordered a Commission of Inquiry into the killing of 17 people, but the number of deaths swelled to 120 during the unrest.

“The state Cabinet has now widened the scope of the entire inquiry,” the minister said.

Kashmir had witnessed massive unrest in April 2010 after three youths from the Rafiabad area of Baramulla district were allegedly killed in a fake encounter by the Army at the Line of Control in the Machil sector of Kupwara.

The incident had triggered massive protests across the Valley leading to a vicious cycle of killings.

Over a period of more than four months nearly 120 civilians were killed during the protests.

The killings had raised serious question mark over Omar Abdullah’s ability to handle the crisis and according to his close aides, the Chief Minister had thought of resigning from his post.

The government on June 26, 2010, had appointed a one-man Commission of Inquiry, headed by Justice (retired) Bashir-ud-Din, to probe the killings. Later it appointed Justice (retired) YP Nargotra as another member of the Commission, but the panel did not make any progress.

Kupwara, June 19
Patients are facing problems due to shortage of beds at the sub-district hospital here. Two patients are forced to share a single bed at the 100-bedded hospital, which witnesses a huge rush of patients from across Kupwara and its adjoining areas.

“My wife delivered a female baby after a caesarean section last evening. She was forced to share a bed with another woman patient. The wound on her lower abdomen is still fresh and she is feeling suffocated due to shortage of space,” said Illyas Ahmad Zargar from Goose.

According to an employee posted in the registration section of the hospital, over 700 patients visit the Out Patient Department (OPD) of the hospital for treatment on an average per day. A few local residents alleged that at times doctors discharge patients in haste and to avoid overcrowding of patients due to shortage of beds.

“Sometimes doctors choose to discharge patient even before he or she has recovered fully after surgery. In such cases, patients are forced to make frequent visits to the hospital for post-surgery treatment,” said Nazir Ahmad Wani from Darzipora Kupwara.

Local residents demanded that the number of beds should be increased to cater to the increasing rush of patients. “The authorities should at least add 100 more beds to the hospital to avoid inconveniences to the patients. Unless beds are added to the hospital patients are bound to suffer the most,” said Altaf Ahmad Malik, a local resident.

Jammu, June 19
A traffic jam was witnessed on both sides of the Nandni tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway due to waterlogging on Wednesday.

The waterlogging was caused due to rain which lashed Jammu and its adjoining areas.

Reports said hundreds of vehicles were moving at a snail’s pace till the water level in the tunnel receded.

Mostly, light motor vehicles were having difficulty in moving ahead, bringing the traffic to a halt.

The tunnel is in bad shape and gets frequently waterlogged. It connects two sides of the Nandini wildlife sanctuary on the national highway.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has abandoned the tunnel since work on four-laning of the highway started.

“Last year, the National Highway Authority of India did some repair work on the tunnel, but water is still leaking continuously. Whenever rain lashes the area waterlogging becomes a major issue,” said Tilak Raj, a driver.

Drivers drive through the tunnel at their own risk as neither the government nor the NHAI is paying any attention to its bad condition, he said.

Under the north-south corridor project, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway is being upgraded to a four-lane road. Several small tunnels are being constructed in the hilly area of Nandni.

Since work was started on the new project, little attention has been paid to portions which are not part of it, including the Nandni tunnel.

NHAI project director for Jammu RP Singh said: “Our men are on the job on a regular basis but still I will look into the issue.”

Srinagar, June 19
The Jammu and Kashmir Police today felicitated one of its constables for being part of the 20 sportspersons who were awarded the prestigious Sher-i-Kashmir sports award.

Adil Mohi-ud-Din, an international kayaking, who hails from the Dalgate area of Srinagar, has been awarded for his outstanding performance in water sports during the past few years.

A constable of the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police, he along with 19 other sportspersons received the award from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during an investiture ceremony held at SKICC here.

Adil has the honour of being the first person from the state to represent India in the Olympic qualifying round held at Tehran, Iran in October 2011.

He was adjudged fourth in C-4 (1000m) and sixth in C-1 event held during the qualifiers and also got seventh place in International Regatta Canoe Sprint Competition held in Uzbekistan in 2012.

The 24-year-old kayak made his debut in National water sports in 2007 where he bagged two bronze medals. — PTI

Anantnag, June 19
A shutdown was today observed in Anantnag town to commemorate the 20th death anniversary of religious and pro-freedom leader Dr Qazi Nisar Ahmad.

Qazi Nisar, founder of religious organisation Ummat-e-Islami (UeI), was killed on June 19, 1994, by gunmen in Dialgam village in Anantnag district.The shutdown call was extended by the slain leader’s son and Mirwaiz of south Kashmir Qazi Ahmad Yasir.

All shops, offices, schools, colleges and commercial establishments remained closed throughout the day. Traffic was also thin across the town. Reports said a large number of people thronged the martyr’s graveyard in the Janglat Mandi area of the town today morning and offered prayers. Prayer meetings were also held at the graveyard. Later, a rally led by Qazi Yasir, who is also the chairman of the UeI, marched from the Janglat Mandi to Dialgam village.

Yasir, while addressing the rally, paid tributes to his father and vowed to take his mission forward.

”His (Qazi Nisar’s) contribution to the freedom movement is beyond words and I vow to carry forward the legacy,” said Yasir.

A blood donation camp was also organised by the UeI to commemorate the death anniversary of the leader.

Many pro-freedom leaders, including Shabbir Ahmad Shah, were scheduled to attend the rally. However, they were not allowed by the authorities. While Shah was put under house arrest, others were stopped while on way to Anantnag.

Srinagar, June 19
Chief minister Omar Abdullah met Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.

During their hour-long meeting, the Chief Minister briefed the Governor about various important matters relating to development, security and governance in the state.

The two also discussed issues relating to the preparedness of the Shrine Board and the state government regarding the arrangements to be made for the ensuing Amarnath yatra, particularly keeping in view the heavy snow fall in the preceding months.

The Governor and the Chief Minister also discussed the Election Commission of India’s likely schedule for the forthcoming Assembly elections and the important projects which need to be implemented during the remainder working season.

Srinagar, June 19
Director General of Police, J&K, K Rajendra Kumar called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar today.

Governor NN Vohra and DGP K Rajendra Kumar at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

This was Kumar’s first meeting with the Governor after becoming the DGP.

During an hour-long meeting, the DGP briefed the Governor about the preparedness of the police for the smooth conduct of the Amarnath yatra.

The Governor discussed with K Rajendra issues relating to internal security management in Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar, June 19
A group comprising 39 overseas diaspora youth called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.

The young men and women are in Jammu and Kashmir for an orientation programme under the “28th Know India Programme”, sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.

The participants are from Fiji, Malaysia, Mauritius, the Netherlands, South Africa, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Myanmar, Israel and Sri Lanka.

While interacting with the Governor, the participants wanted to know more about the history, geography, demography and culture of the state.

The Governor gave them an overview of issues relating to security, economy, women empowerment, tourist destinations, flora and fauna, establishment of infrastructure, programmes for the socio-economic growth and welfare of the people, particularly the nomadic societies of the state.

During their discussions with the Governor, the participants said they had found a safe and secure environment in places they had visited and had good things to say about the warmth and hospitality of people they had met in the state.

The Governor wished the visitors an enjoyable and happy stay in Kashmir and urged them to contribute to the advancement of peace and prosperity in the world.

Jammu, June 19
An awareness programme on drug abuse was organised at the Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal.

The programme was part of the observance of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu.

In this context, a series of awareness programmes have been planned and being conducted by the NCB, Jammu, in collaboration with the state police, district administration and Government Psychiatric Hospital, Jammu.

During the programme at the Kot Bhalwal jail, a “nukkad natak” on drug abuse was staged by artistes of the Nav Durga Kala Manch on the theme of “Drug abuse and its ill-affects on the society”. The programme was attended by about 100 inmates and other officials of the jail.

In the welcome address, Manoj Kumar, Zonal Director, NCB zonal unit, Jammu, shared his experience/views on drug abuse. He stressed that a lot of work was still required to be done by the law enforcement agencies towards the reduction of drugs demand.

Superintendent of Jail Dinesh Sharma and Dr Rajinder Kumar, Medical Officer, were also present on the occasion.

Dr Gurmeet Kour, Registrar, Government Hospital, Jammu, delivered a lecture on drug abuse and drug addiction in the society and also answered the queries raised by prisoners on the subject.

The NCB, Jammu, has planned to conduct such awareness campaigns at different places in Jammu and surrounding areas in the week to educate people on drug abuse and its effects on the social as well as in personal life.

Srinagar, June 19
Srinagar will host a 10-day International Film Festival in August which will involve film screenings and film direction/acting workshops.

A Kashmir-based non-profit organisation, Experimental Moving Images and Theatre Association (XMITA), is the organising body for the film festival.

The organisers have received over 150 entries of films from 50 different countries for screening during the film festival.

An expert panel comprising eminent film-makers and actors from India will adjudge the best films which will be screened during four days of the festival.

“During the course of the film festival, film-makers from the United States and Poland will train the aspiring film-makers from Kashmir,” said M Hassan, an organiser.

He added that the submissions for the film entries have been received from Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Croatia, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA and Vietnam.

“The selection panel includes MK Raina, one of India’s best-known theatre actors and directors. Kaushik Bhaumik, associate professor in cinema studies at the School of Art and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Arshiya Sethi, a veteran in the field, Chandradasan, a theatre director, actor and writer from Kerala and a few others,” Hassan said.

The event will be hosted by qualified Event Management Company, Hotice in Kashmir University Convocation Complex.

Srinagar, June 19
A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three youths in Baramulla district of Kashmir, following which two of the accused were arrested, the police said today. According to the complaint lodged by the teenager and her family, the incident took place on June 14 when she had gone to her relative's house in Boniyar area to attend a marriage function.

As the girl stepped out of the house, she was kidnapped by the three youths, who took her to a secluded forest area, nearly 1 km from the house, and gang-raped her. The police have arrested two of the three youths and a case registered against the accused. They said efforts were on to arrest the third accused, who is absconding. — PTI

Batote, June 19
The body of a missing CRPF jawan was fished out of the Salal dam on the Chenab in Reasi last night.

Sources said the slain jawan had been identified as C Nagraj and was posted with the 84 Battalion.

He was missing since June 2 morning from his headquarters campus at Bhoom in Chanderkot.

His cellphone was reportedly found on the banks of the Chenab near his camp. He had made the last call to his wife.

A CRPF officer said the officers of the slain jawan had seen his body flowing in the Chenab at Saandhu Dharamkund in Ramban on June 17. He said search was expedited and the body fished out of the river in Reasi last night.

His wife, two children and other family members had flown to Reasi to perform his last rites today. Sources said a DNA test of the body would be conducted.

Srinagar, June 19
As scarcity of water continues in parts of the city, the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department in its drive against the violators has seized more than 75 water booster pumps since June 8.

People from different areas of the city, including Hyderpora, Ahmed Nagar, Sanat Nagar, Chanapora, Haba Kadal, Safa Kadal and other areas, said there was a scarcity of drinking water and they were facing difficulties in the scorching heat.

“We are facing difficulties due to erratic supply of drinking water. We have already approached the PHE officials, but the problem continues. We hardly get water supply for two to three hours a day,” said a resident of Ahmed Nagar near Srinagar.

The complaints of water scarcity have also been received from people of Kathi Darwaz and Rainawari.

Locals say even if there is availability of water, the pressure is too low to store water in the tanks fixed on the second and third floors of their houses.

They added that the problem of water scarcity was increasing day by day in the interiors of the city.

Officials of the PHE Department have started a drive against people using water booster pumps and seized more than 75 boosters from Nishat Buchpora, Dalgate, Lal Bazaar and adjoining areas.

“The problem has aroused due to the use of water booster pumps by some people who drag the whole supply towards their homes, leaving others to suffer. People without thinking about their neighbors use boosters for direct line that affects the water distribution. This is in violation of laws. We will continue our drive against such people,” said a senior official of the PHE Department, appealing people not to use the water booster motors on direct line.